On this note, the way he writes specifically, in this case, Paris’ internal anxiety monologue feels, in my experience, like a very honest representation. His hilarious and smart sarcasm, phenomenal dialogue, and overall quick and witty writing continue to be an absolute favorite. It was also wonderful to slip back into Hall’s writing. Their personalities came back quickly as a started reading this and it was a fun “oh yea!” reader feeling. I mean, I know I said I don’t really “get” the cooking show craze, but it’s almost impossible to not have seen at least parts of episodes, so I know what they’re structured like, and Hall really brings this “cast” to life.

Oh it was fun to get back into the host/judge/director characters of Bake Expectations. I had forgotten how real they were. The question is, can Paris figure out how to quiet his brain and find his confidence in time to realize that he really does deserve the good things in his life, and save them? And then, of course, there is the stress and pressure of Bake Expectations itself…and the social media storm that inevitably begins once the episodes begin airing.

Plus, Tariq is perhaps expecting things that Paris is not (yet) able to provide, no matter how much he thinks otherwise. However, Paris’ anxieties over everything (the baking and the dating) ending in failure may, in fact, cause them to end in failure. Despite an inauspicious first interaction, the two start dating. Tariq Hassan is, confidence-wise and stylistically, the exact opposite of Paris, hoping to use his time on the show to start a B-list celebrity career. Paris Daillencourt was entered by his roommate to push him out of his box (and maybe into making friends and actually believing in himself a bit). The book brings us into the next season of Bake Expectations. And a moment to be reflecting and regretting and hoping because apparently, it was possible to do all those things at once when fear wasn’t flooding your body with the useless kind of adrenaline.” “It felt like a moment to bask in, but it also felt like a moment not to be complacent.

The Lake by Tananarive Due